Category: Government
In an effort to sustain commercial and recreational fishing for the next several decades, the US is to impose catch limits to protect the 528 species in federally managed fisheries, from Alaskan pollock to Caribbean queen conch. Unlike most recent environmental policy debates, which have divided neatly along party lines, this one is about a [...]
A series of 15 marine surveys in 2011, covering over 2,000 square miles, have uncovered rare species and increased the knowledge of the biodiversity of Scotland’s seas. Off the west coast, very rare Fan Mussels were found – at up to 48 cm long, this is Scotland’s largest sea shell; In the waters off Tankerness [...]
Approximately 80 tonnes of biomass are discarded every working day by nephrops trawlers in the Clyde Sea area (Scotland) compared with only 0.7 tonnes in the Central Adriatic. On a fleet basis that means that every year a minimum of 25,000 tonnes is discarded in the Clyde Sea area and 35,000 tonnes in the Central [...]
Recreational salmon fishermen are taking legal action against the Scottish government in Brussels, claiming ministers have failed to protect stocks. The anglers claim the Scottish Government has endangered salmon numbers on the River South Esk, Angus, and are lodging a legal complaint with the EC. The move follows a government decision to extend the netting [...]
Dong Energy have been awarded an exclusivity agreement from the Crown Estate to investigate the feasibility of developing an offshore wind farm proposal within the Outer Solway. The area that they are currently considering for a potential site will be at least eight kilometres away from the coastline and fully within the broader area identified [...]
The Scottish Government has set a range of targets for energy and climate change which and include meeting at least 30% of total energy demand from renewable sources by 2020, incorporating:100% of electricity demand from renewables (31% by 2011)11% of heat demand from renewables10% of transport fuel from renewables. In addition, the Climate Change (Scotland) [...]
UK Environment Minister Richard Benyon today made the following Written Ministerial Statement on Marine Conservation Zones for England/Wales : “As part of the Government’s commitment to implementing in full the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, we are creating a network of national protected areas in British seas to ensure our underwater wildlife [...]
A new report shows that the dreadful waste of thousands of tonnes of dead fish could be stopped – easily !!!!! Published today, the report shows that fishermen taking part in the UK’s Catch Quota trials are discarding less than one per cent of the cod and sole they catch. This is far less than [...]
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EU Consultation on invasive alien species
Invasive alien species (IAS) are species whose introduction and/or spread, outside their natural past or present distribution, threatens biological diversity. They may cause serious damage not only to ecosystems but also to crops and livestock, disrupting the local ecology, impacting on human health and producing serious economic effects. While some EU instruments are dealing with [...]
European Marine and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
This consultation seeks views on the European Commission’s proposals for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The European Commission published their proposals for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) that will replace the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020. The EMFF is structured around four pillars: Smart, Green [...]
The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on the introduction of new management measures into the Scottish scallop sector. The aims of the consultation are to help safeguard stocks and more closely align Scottish technical restrictions with those being introduced into English waters by : o Introducing a flat rate 8 dredge per side limit [...]
Future of aquaculture and fisheries
A consultation is underway to support a sustainable future for aquaculture and freshwater fisheries, and the effective management of interactions between these two sectors. The consultation also includes proposals to update enforcement provisions for aquaculture and fisheries, and a review of the approach to cost sharing and charges. The consultation will inform the development of [...]
Cod recovery measures–Clyde spawning closure
The Scottish Government has, since 2002, implemented a spawning season closure in the Firth of Clyde which complements the Irish Sea closure provided for under EU legislation. For both 2012 and 2013, the Scottish Government believes that there is a clear case for continuing the practice of a spawning season closure by rolling over the [...]
